Seed cycling PCOS: The definition, instructions, benefits, and side effects

In a nutshell

Seed cycling PCOS is an alternative approach to treating this syndrome and its symptoms, which implies consuming certain types of seeds during the two phases of your menstrual cycle. It’s recommended to eat pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds during the follicular phase of the cycle (days 1-14) and sesame and sunflower seeds during the luteal phase (days 15-28). Thanks to certain nutrients contained in these seeds, they have been shown to help regulate hormone production and regulate the menstrual cycle in females with PCOS.

As a hormonal condition, polycystic ovary syndrome can bring around many unpleasant symptoms, which require a holistic approach to manage. Among medical solutions, a big role in addressing PCOS is played by lifestyle adjustments and nutrition. And while there are more traditional approaches, there are also alternative solutions, such as seed cycling PCOS

Struggling to lose weight with PCOS? Take our quiz now to find a personalized solution just for you >>

Understanding PCOS and the Hormonal Imbalances Induced by It

PCOS is a common condition that is currently considered the most common cause of infertility. It affects around 7%-10% of women in their reproductive years, though the real number of females with this syndrome is hard to calculate since many cases remain undiagnosed.

The development of PCOS can begin as early as with the first period and, as a chronic condition, it can’t be cured completely, though it’s possible to manage its symptoms with a combination of approaches. The three key features of this syndrome include:

• Polycystic ovaries that have a large number of fluid-filled sacs on their surface and might be enlarged.
• Irregular periods caused by the hindered work of ovaries and hence, unpredictable ovulation.
• Hormonal imbalances caused by the excessive production of androgens (male hormones) in ovaries.

The Role of Managing Hormones in PCOS

Affecting the work of your ovaries, PCOS can create a tangible hormonal imbalance inside your body. And the main symptoms of this syndrome, such as irregular periods, difficulty in getting pregnant, excessive hair growth, hair loss, and others, all result from a disrupted menstrual cycle. Hence, managing hormones is the primary task in every PCOS treatment.

Currently, there are multiple treatments used to address PCOS symptoms, such as:

• Medical treatments: Combination birth control and hormonal therapy.
• Lifestyle adjustments: Healthy and balanced nutrition plus regular physical activity.
• Stress management techniques: Keeping your stress under control, getting enough sleep, and working on mental health for a natural decrease in testosterone.
• Insulin-sensitizing agents: For addressing accompanying symptoms.

In addition to these conventional treatment methods, now, we also observe a growing interest in complementary and alternative approaches, one of which is seed cycling.

What Is Seed Cycling PCOS?

Seed cycling is an alternative approach for managing female hormones. It implies using different seeds (e.g. sesame, pumpkin, flax, etc.) at different stages of a menstrual cycle to regulate it and help the body produce hormones in a balance.

How Does Using Seeds for PCOS Work?

The mechanics behind seed cycling PCOS rely primarily on the nutrients and elements naturally contained in different types of seeds and their effects on hormones. Namely, there are four primary types of seeds used for this purpose, and here is a brief dive into their nutritional profiles:

1. Flaxseeds are rich in lignans - components that have been shown to manage estrogen release to balance the amount of this hormone in your body. Additionally, these seeds are full of omega-3 fats, which are great for healthy blood flow and cell membranes. So is flaxseed good for PCOS? - It is. A study on it has, in fact, revealed the reduction of the number of cysts and the size of the ovaries in women who regularly consumed these seeds.
2. Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of zinc, which is known as a crucial supplement for managing PCOS symptoms. Zinc aids progesterone production and balances its levels. Additionally, one more reason to use pumpkin seeds PCOS is that they are rich in omega-3 fats and antioxidants, which help support overall reproductive health.
3. Sesame seeds are also rich in zinc which helps balance progesterone. At the same time, they contain lignans and omega-3 fatty acids and help balance estrogen levels similar to flaxseeds. Additionally, sesame seeds are shown to lower chronic inflammation, which often accompanies PCOS.
4. Sunflower seeds are known for their rich selenium content, which inhibits excess estrogen and supports liver function. These seeds are also rich in Vitamin E - one of the significant supplements for PCOS, and antioxidants. Together, all these elements can improve your ovarian function and support fertility.

Seed Cycling PCOS: How to Do It Right?

Now that you know about the primary seeds for PCOS, let’s figure out how to combine them effectively to support your cycle.

There are two primary phases of your cycle that you want to focus on:

Follicular Phase

In a standard 28-day cycle, this phase takes place between day 1 (the first day after your periods) and 14 (the ovulation). During this phase, the ovaries start developing an egg that will be released during the upcoming ovulation. To develop it, your estrogen levels will gradually increase by the end of this phase.

During this phase, you need to eat flaxseeds to manage the levels of estrogen and pumpkin seeds ensure predictable ovulation. With pumpkin seeds progesterone production is supported toward the end of the follicular phase to ensure that it will rise as supposed as you enter the next phase. Typically, it’s recommended to eat a tablespoon of each type of seeds per day.

Luteal Phase

This phase of your cycle lasts from day 15 to day 28. During this phase, your estrogen levels should start decreasing, whereas the levels of progesterone will rise to prepare you for a potential pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, you should naturally get your period.

In order to balance progesterone and estrogen in the luteal phase, you need to consume sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

Benefits of Seeds for PCOS

The studies on seed cycling PCOS, though limited, have shown multiple positive effects of this approach. Namely, when combined right, seeds can help you:

• Regulate your hormones from within, using natural remedies.
• Make your menstrual cycle more predictable and support fertility.
• By reducing hormonal imbalances, you can notice improvements in other PCOS symptoms, such as acne or hair loss.
• Improve insulin response.
• Decrease oxidative stress and ease chronic inflammation.

Seed Cycling Side Effects

Although studies and independent use cases confirm the potential benefits of seed cycling, it's important to mention some possible side effects that might come along.

Namely, as any changes in nutrition, seed cycling can cause:

• Changes in bowel habits.
• Digestive discomfort.
• Allergic reactions.
• Changes in weight due to a different daily calorie density.

These seed cycling side effects aren’t very common or prominent. In most cases, they only affect people who don’t tolerate one or several types of seeds. However, there are a few additional risks that might be there.

First of all, it’s the hormonal imbalance. Although seed cycling is initially meant to regulate hormones and restore balance, using them wrongly can lead to the opposite effect. Also, there might be interference with other medications you take. For example, flaxseeds can hinder the work of blood thinners.

So what should you do? - We recommend consulting with a healthcare provider before engaging in seed cycling and following personalized recommendations. Also, it’s crucial to listen to your body and track symptoms to see if there are any side effects and address them in a timely manner.

Is Seed Cycling Legit?

Due to their nutritional profiles and confirmed properties, the seeds used in seed cycling indeed show the potential to enhance or inhibit the production of progesterone and estrogen in a female body. The reports that are currently there describe this method as a natural and gentle way to balance hormones. Moreover, they claim that just a few months of seed cycling is enough to see the first benefits.

We have to acknowledge that seed cycling is still considered alternative medicine. The studies on it are still limited, which makes it hard to tell the real efficacy of this method for PCOS.

Nevertheless, there are no risks found in relation to seed cycling. Moreover, due to the healthy properties of various seeds, this approach can indeed have long-term health benefits, which is why it might be used as a complementary therapy.

Conclusion

Managing PCOS requires a holistic approach and, as you now know, a combination of pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, and flaxseed for PCOS can have a number of positive effects, helping you balance your hormones and manage symptoms.

By consuming seeds for PCOS on a daily basis, you may be able to adjust your hormone levels. At the same time, you can gain a number of additional benefits, such as reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. Still, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying new approaches to prevent potential side effects.